Abercrombie & Fitch taps IBM to expand online business

By Staff Writer

Armonk, N.Y. -- IBM announced that Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is working with IBM software to help the company transform its online business to achieve greater speed and efficiency. The initiative is part of Abercombie's strategic goal to expand its direct-to-consumer capabilities and drive its e-commerce business to $1 billion.

"Abercrombie & Fitch Co., and its portfolio of brands including Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister Co, Abercrombie kids, and Gilly Hicks, is growing its e-commerce and cross-channel operation dramatically in the coming years. We require a world-class solution that will scale over time, bolster international expansion, and support cross-channel commerce. IBM's e-commerce and order management solutions meet our requirements for infrastructure, scalability, and future growth," said John Deane, senior VP and CIO at Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

Abercrombie & Fitch is using IBM's WebSphere commerce platform for its branded storefronts, both domestically and internationally. The company is adding IBM order management software, which includes call center functions for accessing and updating customer orders, to provide the retailer with the operational foundation it needs to move toward providing seamless, integrated cross-channel solutions.